Baked Good Marking Device and Method of Using the Same

ABSTRACT

A baked good marking device assembly comprises a base, an elongated marking arm, and a marker. The base has a top surface and a bottom surface. The elongated marking arm is generally perpendicular to the base. The elongated marking arm has a first side and a second side. At least one of the first side and the second side includes one of either a first channel and a first rail. The elongated marking arm has measuring indicia proximate the one of either the first channel and the first rail. The elongated marking arm is removably fixed to the base. The marker has a body portion. The marker is moveable along the first channel or the first rail of the elongated marking arm. The marker has a marking portion protruding outward from the body portion. The marking portion is disposed in a generally perpendicular relationship to the elongated marking arm.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/375,419, filed Aug. 20, 2010.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a baked good marking device, such as a cake marking device, and more particularly, to a baked good marking device to inscribe a groove onto a side of a baked good.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When preparing food, such as during baking, it is often necessary to imprint a score or other mark on a side of a baked good, or other food product, in order to accurately apply decorative elements to the baked good, such as frosting, fondant flowers, sugar flowers, and other decorative pieces, such as are commonly found on a cake. Currently, a baker, or other food preparer, has few options to accurately mark locations on the side of the baked good, such as the use of a ruler and a marking device. However, this operation requires both hands of the baker. Further current marking methods are susceptible to the baker not consistently marking the same height if multiple marks are required. Further, the baker may mar the baked good being marked. For instance, a slip of the baker's hand may cause a mark to be at a different height than other marks, or some marks may be at a greater depth into the baked good, making it difficult to hide the mark on the finished and decorated baked good. Thus, a need exists for a baked good marking device that overcomes some of these limitations.

The present invention is provided to solve the problems discussed above and other problems, and to provide advantages and aspects not previously provided. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment, a baked good marking device assembly comprises a base, an elongated marking arm, and a marker. The base has a top surface and a generally flat bottom surface. The elongated marking arm is disposed in a generally perpendicular relationship to the base. The elongated marking arm has a first end and a second end. The elongated marking arm further has a first side and a second side. At least one of the first side and the second side includes one of either a first channel and a first rail. The elongated marking arm additionally has measuring indicia disposed proximate the one of either the first channel and the first rail. The elongated marking arm is removably fixed to the base. The marker has a body portion. The marker is moveable along the either the first channel and the first rail of the elongated marking arm. The marker has a marking portion protruding outward from the body portion. The marking portion is disposed in a generally perpendicular relationship to the elongated marking arm.

According to another embodiment, a baked good marking device assembly comprises an elongated marking arm and a first marker. The elongated marking arm has a first end and a second end. The elongated marking arm further has a first side and a second side. The second side is generally opposite of the first side. The first side includes a first channel. The elongated marking arm additionally has first measuring indicia disposed proximate the first channel. The second side includes a second channel. The elongated marking arm additionally has second measuring indicia disposed proximate the second channel. The first marker has a body portion. The first marker is moveable along the first and second channels of the elongated marking arm. The first marker has a marking portion that protrudes outward from the body portion. The marking portion is disposed in a generally perpendicular relationship to the elongated marking arm.

According to one process, a method of marking a baked good is provided. A baked good marking device assembly is provided. The baked good marking device assembly has an elongated marking arm and a first marker moveable along the elongated marking arm. The marker has a marking portion that is disposed in a generally perpendicular relationship to the elongated marking arm. A baked good is also provided. The marker is positioned along the elongated marking arm at a desired location. The baked good is engaged with the marker. One of the baked good marking device and the baked good is rotated relative to the other. The marker forms a mark on the baked good during the rotation.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a baked good marking device assembly according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the baked good marking device assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the baked good marking device assembly of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the baked good marking device assembly of FIG. 1.

The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, a baked good marking device assembly 10 is provided. The baked good marking device assembly 10 comprises a base 12, an elongated marking arm 14, and a marker 16.

The base 12 has a top surface 18 and a generally flat bottom surface 20. The base 12 is adapted to support the elongated marking arm 14. As shown in FIG. 5, a recess 22 is formed in the top surface 18 of the base 12. The recess 22 may have a receiving groove 22 a formed on each side of the recess 22. The receiving groove 22 a is adapted to receive an attaching projection 24 of the elongated marking arm 14. The interaction of the attaching projection 24 and the receiving groove 22 a of the recess 22 removably secures the elongated marking arm 14 to the base 12. The elongated marking arm 14 may be removed from the base 12 for purposes such as cleaning or storage. The elongated marking arm 14 is disposed in a generally perpendicular relationship to the base 12.

The elongated marking arm 14 has a first side 26 and second side 28. The second side 28 is generally opposite the first side 26. A first channel 30 a is formed in the first side 26 of the elongated marking arm 14, while a second channel 30 b is formed in the second side 28 of the elongated marking arm. The first and second channels 30 a, 30 b project inward from an outer surface of the sides 26, 28 of the elongated marking arm 14. The first and second channels 30 a, 30 b run from a location proximate a first end 14 a of the elongated marking arm 14 to a location proximate a second end 14 b of the elongated marking arm 14. The first end 14 a of the elongated marking arm 14 is disposed proximate the base 12 of the baked good marking device assembly 10, while the second end 14 b is generally opposite the first end 14 a of the elongated marking arm 14.

Each of the first and second channels 30 a, 30 b of the elongated marking arm 14 may have a plurality of marker positioning detents 32. The marker positioning detents 32 protrude inward into the sides 26, 28 of the elongated marking arm 14 from the respective first and second channels 30 a, 30 b. The marker positioning detents 32 are adapted to interact with the marker 16 to position the marker 16 at distinct locations along the elongated marking arm 14. While marker positioning detents 32 are depicted in FIGS. 1-5, it is contemplated that the marker 16 may be positioned along the elongated marking arm 14 without the use of the detents 32.

Measuring indicia 34 may also be provided on the elongated marking arm 14. The measuring indicia allow a user to know the location of the marker 16 relative to the bottom surface 20 of the base 12 of the baked good marking device assembly 10. The user can position the marker 16 proximate a measuring indicia 34 that corresponds to a height they wish to mark the baked good.

The elongated marking arm 14 may additionally have a gripping portion 36. The gripping portion may be a polymeric overmold 38, adapted to improve the user's ability to hold the baked good marking device assembly 10.

While the base 12 and the elongated marking arm 14 have been described as being separate components, it is contemplated that according to an alternative embodiment, a base may be integrally formed with the elongated marking arm.

The marker 16 has a body portion 40. The body portion 40 is a generally wall-like portion of the marker 16. The marker 16 may be made from a polymeric material, such that the body portion 40 is somewhat flexible. An example of a material that may be utilized to form the marker 16 is acetal. A marking portion 42 extends outwardly from the body portion 40. As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the marking portion 42 is disposed generally at a midpoint of the marker 16, however, it is contemplated that the marking portion 42 may be located elsewhere on the body portion 40. The marking portion 42 may come to a point and is adapted to form a score, or a depression, on a surface of the baked good being utilized with the baked good marking device assembly 10. The marking portion 42 is disposed in a generally perpendicular relationship to the elongated marking arm 14.

The body portion 40 of the marker 16 further has a location fixing element 44. The location fixing element 44 interacts with the first and second channels 30 a, 30 b of the elongated marking arm 14. The location fixing element 44 shown in FIGS. 1-5 extend from an inner side of the body portion 40. The location fixing elements 44 may reside within the marker positioning detents 32 of the first and second channels 30 a, 30 b of the elongated marking arm 14. The fixing element 44 may generally align with the marking portion 42 to allow the user to be able to determine the height on the elongated marking arm 14 that the marking portion 42 is set.

A gripping feature 46 may also be provided on the body portion 40 of the marker 16. The gripping feature 46 may generally protrude outward from an outer side of the body portion 40. It is contemplated that the gripping feature 46 may align with the location fixing element 44. The gripping feature 46 allows a user to apply a force to the marker 16 to move the marker 16 along the elongated marking arm 14.

To further allow a user to know the location of the marker 16 relative to the elongated marking arm 14, a location indicator 48 may be provided on the marker 16. The location indication 48 is positioned proximate the measuring indicia 34 of the elongated marking arm 14 to indicate to the user the location of the marking portion 42.

The body portion 40 of the marker 16 wraps around an edge 27 of the elongated marking arm 14. The edge 27 is disposed between the first side 26 and the second side 28 of the elongated marking arm 14. Thus, the body portion 40 is shaped to wrap around the edge 27 to engage the first and second channels 30 a, 30 b of the elongated marking arm 14.

While channels 30 a, 30 b on the elongated marking arm 14 have been described, it is contemplated that in another embodiment, a track may protrude outward from the first side 26 and the second side 28 of the elongated marking arm 14 with which the marker 16 interacts to secure the marker 16 to the elongated marking arm 14.

In order to assemble and utilize the baked good marking device assembly 10, the elongated marking arm 14 is inserted into the recess 22 of the base 12. The attaching projections of the elongated marking arm 14 may be received by a receiving groove 22 a of the recess 22. The marker 16 is positioned adjacent a measuring indicia 34 on the elongated marking arm 14 that corresponds to the location a user wishes to mark on a baked good. It is contemplated that a plurality of marker 16 may be positioned at various locations along the elongated marking arm 14 to mark multiple positions on the baked good. The baked good marking device assembly 10 is positioned adjacent a baked good so that the marker 16 contacts the baked good. It is contemplated that one of the baked good or the baked good marking device assembly 10 will be positioned on a rotatable base, such as a lazy-susan type device. The one of the baked good marking device assembly 10 and the baked good that is mounted on a rotatable base is rotated in order to cause the marker 16 to create a mark on the baked good.

While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A baked good marking device assembly comprising: a base having a top surface and a generally flat bottom surface; an elongated marking arm being disposed in a generally perpendicular relationship to the base, the elongated marking arm having a first end and a second end, the elongated marking arm further having a first side and a second side, wherein at least one of the first side and the second side includes one of either a first channel and a first rail, the elongated marking arm additionally having measuring indicia disposed proximate the one of either a first channel and a first rail, the elongated marking arm removably fixed to the base; and a marker having a body portion, the marker moveable along the either the first channel and the first rail of the elongated marking arm, the marker having a marking portion protruding outward from the body portion, the marking portion being in a generally perpendicular relationship to the elongated marking arm.
 2. The baked good marking device assembly of claim 1, wherein the one of either a first channel and a first rail has a plurality of marker positioning detents.
 3. The baked good marking device assembly of claim 1, wherein a recess is formed in the top surface of the base, the recess receiving a portion of the elongated marking arm.
 4. The baked good marking device assembly of claim 3, wherein the recess formed in the top surface of the base has a receiving groove to receive a attaching projection formed on the elongated marking arm.
 5. The baked good marking device assembly of claim 1, wherein the elongated marking arm further comprises a gripping portion disposed along an edge of the elongated marking arm.
 6. The baked good marking device assembly of claim 1, wherein the marker further comprises a gripping feature protruding outward from the body portion.
 7. The baked good marking device assembly of claim 1, wherein the marker further comprises a location indicator, the location indicator disposed proximate the measuring indicia of the elongated marking arm.
 8. A baked good marking device assembly comprising: an elongated marking arm having a first end and a second end, the elongated marking arm further having a first side and a second side, the second side being generally opposite of the first side, wherein the first side including a first channel, the elongated marking arm additionally having first measuring indicia disposed proximate the first channel, the second side including a second channel, the elongated marking arm additionally having second measuring indicia disposed proximate the second channel; and a first marker having a body portion, the first marker moveable along the first and second channels of the elongated marking arm, the first marker having a marking portion protruding outward from the body portion, the marking portion being disposed in a generally perpendicular relationship to the elongated marking arm.
 9. The baked good marking device assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first channel and the second channel comprises a plurality of marker positioning detents, the plurality of marker positioning detents being spaced a predetermined distance from a adjacent marker positioning detent.
 10. The baked good marking device assembly of claim 8, wherein the elongated marking arm further comprises a gripping portion disposed along an edge of the elongated marking arm.
 11. The baked good marking device assembly of claim 8, wherein the marker further comprises a gripping feature protruding outward from the body portion.
 12. The baked good marking device assembly of claim 8, wherein the marker further comprises a location indicator, the location indicator disposed proximate the measuring indicia of the elongated marking arm.
 13. The baked good marking device assembly of claim 8, wherein the marker further comprises a location fixing element, the location fixing element protruding inward from the marker body portion, the location fixing element interacting with the first channel and the second channel securing the marking device to the elongated marking arm.
 14. The baked good marking device assembly of claim 8, wherein the first measuring indicia and the second measuring indicia are provided in the same units of measure.
 15. The baked good marking device assembly of claim 8, wherein the first measuring indicia and the second measuring indicia are provided in different units of measure.
 16. The baked good marking device assembly of claim 8, further comprising a second marker, the second marker having a body portion, the second marker moveable along the first and second channels of the elongated marking arm, the second marker having a marking portion protruding outward from the body portion.
 17. A method of marking a baked good comprising: providing a baked good marking device assembly, the baked good marking device assembly having an elongated marking arm and a first marker moveable along the elongated marking arm, the marker having a marking portion being disposed in a generally perpendicular relationship to the elongated marking arm; providing a baked good; positioning the marker along the elongated marking arm at a desired location; engaging the baked good with the marker; and rotating one of the baked good marking device and the baked good relative to the other, the marker forming a mark on the baked good during the rotation.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the baked good is mounted on a rotatable base. 